A TAUNTON man accused of murdering another man in Wellington faces a trial in front of a judge and jury this summer.

Nicholas Adam Stutt, 33, of Laburnum Street, is accused of stabbing Lewis Smith, 30, at a house in Jurston Lane, Wellington, on February 7.

A trial date was fixed for Monday, August 7, at Bristol Crown Court during a hearing at the same court last Friday (June 16).

Stutt has been in custody since he was arrested in February.

Mr Smith died in the house in Jurston Lane from a single stab wound after being critically injured, despite the best efforts of paramedics to save him.

Following his death, his family issued a tribute saying: "Lewis was a beautiful young man in the prime of his life with so much to look forward to.

“He was a treasured son, brother and nephew, loved so very very much by us all and our hearts have been completely broken by his tragic death.

“Despite many difficult times in his life, Lewis never gave up and always came back fighting, positive he could succeed.

“Rest in peace, Lewis. You will remain in our hearts forever and we will miss you every minute of every day.”